Rick Stein’s chef found dead in Cornwall restaurant’s staff accommodation

He was described as a 'valued and much-loved member of the team'.

Rick Stein’s chef found dead in Cornwall restaurant’s staff accommodation
A chef working at one of Rick Stein’s restaurants has been found dead at staff accommodation (Picture: Ken McKay/ ITV/ Shutterstock)

A ‘much-loved’ chef working at Rick Stein’s restaurant The Cornish Arms has been found dead inside staff accommodation.

The young man, in his 30s, died last Thursday, February 13.

Police were called to a property at Grenville Road in Padstow at around 8pm following concern for welfare for a man in a property on the street, home to staff accommodation for the celebrity chef’s company.

A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police told Metro the man was declared deceased at the scene.

His death is not being treated as suspicious and his next of kin has been informed of his death.

Ian Fitzgerald, managing director of Rick Stein Restaurants said they were ‘deeply saddened to confirm the passing of one of our chefs’.

Stein purchased The Cornish Arms in St Merryn Padstow in 2009 (Picture: Alamy Stock Photo)

‘There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death, but out of respect for the family’s wishes for privacy during this difficult time, we will not be sharing further details.

‘Our heartfelt condolences are with his family, friends and all who knew him. He was a valued and much-loved member of our team and will be greatly missed,’ he added in a statement to Cornwall Live.

The managing director of Rick Stein Restaurants said the staff member was ‘valued and much-loved’ (Picture: John Phillips/ Getty Images for Tourism Australia)

Stein purchased The Cornish Arms pub in 2009 alongside his ex-wife and business partner Jilly Stein.

His company, The Rick Stein Group, currently employs over 600 people and includes restaurants, a cookery school, shops and guest rooms.

The 78-year-old opened his first restaurant in 1975, going on to appear as a guest chef in Keith Floyd;s 1985 series Floyd on Fish before being offered the chance to present his own series.

In the years since he’s fronted shows including Rick Stein’s Taste of the Sea, Food Heroes, French Odyssey, Mediterranean Escapes, Rick Stein’s Spain and Rick Stein’s India.

Metro has contacted representatives for Rick Stein for comment.

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